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DNR Q & A: Rice substitute for weddings

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources field staff, resource managers and the DNR Information Center staff answer many questions every day about natural resources topics. Here is one of them:

Q. Someone told me that for the sake of birds, rice shouldn’t be thrown outside after a wedding. Is this true? And is there a substitute for rice?

A. Instant rice is bad for a bird because it expands in its crop (throat) and can kill it. Some rice might be harmless to birds, but polluting sidewalks with rice is not recommended. Instead, use wild bird seed to throw at weddings. The seed will be cleaned up, naturally, within a few days and will also provide food for our feathered friends.

— Lori Naumann, DNR Nongame wildlife program information officer

For more information, call the DNR information line at 296-6157 or go to the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us.